The SIC is attempting to drastically reduce the level of public subsidy handed out to cafes and restaurants in Shetland after a concerted effort with the outlets in question.

Shetland Islands Council has publicly defended its controversial decision to write off £411,000 of debt owed to the public purse by knitwear firm Judane, saying it was the best deal that could be secured in the circumstances.

Councillors have narrowly voted in favour of plans from chief executive David Clark to create a draft of an SIC newsletter and carry out further work into the creation of a finance committee to keep better track of how public money is being dished out.

The fortunes of the community’s £400 million-worth of oil funds on the stock market have improved since the turn of the year, reaching their combined highest point since the worst effects of the global financial crisis began to be felt.

Concerns have been raised about the length of time it is taking for Lerwick patients to be able to see a doctor, with the local NHS board admitting to being puzzled by the “unusually” high number of people seeking out GP appointments in the town compared to other areas of the country.

All money paid into an account for a company called Northern Isles Knitwear owned by Lerwick North councillor and Judane adviser Caroline Miller was used to pay Judane’s creditors, according to a letter issued by her lawyers.

A Lerwick councillor has launched a staunch defence of the SIC’s reputation following an endless stream of public criticism in recent months, arguing that one of its biggest shortcomings is explaining what it does to the people of Shetland.

Shetland Islands Council and Lerwick Port Authority (LPA) are working towards a possible out-of-court settlement over the harbour trust’s multi-million pound compensation claim in the wake of the Bressay bridge fiasco.

SIC chief executive David Clark is to press the case for government funding to help alleviate the isles’ housing shortage at a Scotland-wide emergency jobs summit to address unemployment next Monday.

Efforts to revolutionise meat production in the isles have taken a major step forward with planning permission being granted for a £370,000 new slaughterhouse beside the Marts north of Lerwick.